Setting Up My First Wave Maker Controller - Any Suggestions

gb530 · 07/23/2012, 12:03 AM

I have a 90g that I'm still in the middle of setting up and I plan on having a mixed reef tank from SPS to anemones . I will be ordering some new Power heads and the Hydor Koralia SmartWave controller soon. I'm getting this pump controller because it is fairly cheap and straight to the point. It can be seen here in demonstration: http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&fe...&v=aJnaWfFyx3I

These are the ways I am thinking of setting them up:

Option 1:
x2 1400gph heads on left side of tank
x2 1400gph heads on right
interchanging every 1mins -1hr to act like a current going in/out.

Option 2:
x2 750gph heads on left
x2 1400gph heads on right
1400 power heads running for 6 hours, then 750 power heads running 6 hours.

Option 3:
x2 1400gph heads of left side
x1 1400gph head on the right
x1 750gph head on the right
Always (24 hours) have the single 750 running. Then the other 3 turn on every other minute. All four heads running for 1min then the single 750 running for 1min.

I am new to the hobby and open to ANY suggestions. Any recommendations? Am I using the correct powerhead sizes? Which option would you choose, if any?

KCombs · 07/23/2012, 06:32 AM

Quote:

I'm getting this pump controller because it is fairly cheap and straight to the point

I can appreciate simplicity, but still for the additional 50 bucks I'd still cop a Apex Jr...if for nothing else then to reduce clutter: (NTM light timers, heater fail safe, temp monitoring and disaster alerting)

Basically spending $70-90 on a one function unit against $150 on a multifunction controller doesn't seem cost effective let alone streamlined....
(not arguing, I'm on your side!!!)

gb530 · 07/23/2012, 05:42 PM

haha (i know your not arguing)...... Yeah I was thinking of the controller but it would cost more than $150. To control the lights, pumps, heater, and probes would cost well over $250. I will be getting one down the road but for now, I want to just get the smartwave because I already have other things to control lights, ATO, and ph probe. Clutter doesn't make me want to pay $150 more at the moment....

What do you think of the wave settings I listed above????

KCombs · 07/24/2012, 02:18 AM

Option #1 definitely ... I had 750's but the flow wasn't enough ...you will need the 1440's to have "some" effect on the opposite end...

personally I have one in each back corner pointing directly across the back (pointing STRAIGHT about 4" below th surface) ....the other two Koralias are sorta next to those but pointed at the front glass and slightly down....

I have SPS, frogspawn, all types of palys' zoos et and I'm able to find a "zone" for all of them

...note: I originally bought a Apex Jr; it has 4 built in outlets ...what I did was use a extension cord and put 2 koralias on one "outlet/channel" on the Jr ...same for the left side....
you can go side to side or opposite corners (both ways work)

...and BTW that leaves you two outlets for lights, heaters or whatever....all right at $150 (I expanded later)

...I dunno, if you add in the ipad/android app, the email capability, monitoring and networking; that $150 is money well spent....

gb530 · 07/24/2012, 10:56 PM

Thank you KCombs! I will go with the 4 1400's ... Really good point on the Apex Jr! I didn't know they had an app. I'm sold!

How do you think the Apex Jr compares to the Digital Aquatics ReefKeeper Lite?

07/24/2012, 02:18 AM	#4
KCombs They Call me "RifRaf" Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: with Poly Pure Bred Posts: 547	Option #1 definitely ... I had 750's but the flow wasn't enough ...you will need the 1440's to have "some" effect on the opposite end... personally I have one in each back corner pointing directly across the back (pointing STRAIGHT about 4" below th surface) ....the other two Koralias are sorta next to those but pointed at the front glass and slightly down.... I have SPS, frogspawn, all types of palys' zoos et and I'm able to find a "zone" for all of them ...note: I originally bought a Apex Jr; it has 4 built in outlets ...what I did was use a extension cord and put 2 koralias on one "outlet/channel" on the Jr ...same for the left side.... you can go side to side or opposite corners (both ways work) ...and BTW that leaves you two outlets for lights, heaters or whatever....all right at $150 (I expanded later) ...I dunno, if you add in the ipad/android app, the email capability, monitoring and networking; that $150 is money well spent.... __________________ I'm no "Expert", I'm just someone who has failed more than you have The beatings will continue until moral improves Current Tank Info: 90G reef, 150G FOWLR

07/23/2012, 12:03 AM	#1
gb530 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Northern California Posts: 492	Setting Up My First Wave Maker Controller - Any Suggestions I have a 90g that I'm still in the middle of setting up and I plan on having a mixed reef tank from SPS to anemones . I will be ordering some new Power heads and the Hydor Koralia SmartWave controller soon. I'm getting this pump controller because it is fairly cheap and straight to the point. It can be seen here in demonstration: http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&fe...&v=aJnaWfFyx3I These are the ways I am thinking of setting them up: Option 1: x2 1400gph heads on left side of tank x2 1400gph heads on right interchanging every 1mins -1hr to act like a current going in/out. Option 2: x2 750gph heads on left x2 1400gph heads on right 1400 power heads running for 6 hours, then 750 power heads running 6 hours. Option 3: x2 1400gph heads of left side x1 1400gph head on the right x1 750gph head on the right Always (24 hours) have the single 750 running. Then the other 3 turn on every other minute. All four heads running for 1min then the single 750 running for 1min. I am new to the hobby and open to ANY suggestions. Any recommendations? Am I using the correct powerhead sizes? Which option would you choose, if any? Last edited by gb530; 07/23/2012 at 12:15 AM.

07/23/2012, 05:42 PM	#3
gb530 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Northern California Posts: 492	haha (i know your not arguing)...... Yeah I was thinking of the controller but it would cost more than $150. To control the lights, pumps, heater, and probes would cost well over $250. I will be getting one down the road but for now, I want to just get the smartwave because I already have other things to control lights, ATO, and ph probe. Clutter doesn't make me want to pay $150 more at the moment.... What do you think of the wave settings I listed above????

07/24/2012, 10:56 PM	#5
gb530 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Northern California Posts: 492	Thank you KCombs! I will go with the 4 1400's ... Really good point on the Apex Jr! I didn't know they had an app. I'm sold! How do you think the Apex Jr compares to the Digital Aquatics ReefKeeper Lite?